Carolyn Jenkins has never had a problem getting a man, but keeping one is another story. After two failed marriages and numerous short-term relationships, she’s ready to wave the white flag and give up on love. Yet, with Christmas quickly approaching, she dreads spending the holiday alone. Will a chance encounter with a handsome stranger make all of her Christmas wishes come true?

After thirty years of a nearly perfect marriage, widower Lincoln Richwood struggles to move on with his life. The idea of dating at his age seems daunting … until he meets the vivacious Carolyn Jenkins. Normally a straitlaced kind of guy, there’s just something about the woman that tempts him to walk on the wild side.

Opposites attract, but will their differences derail their relationship and keep them from embracing the love they both desire?

Book Excerpt

“Okay, you’re up. I have a feeling you’re going to knock down all the pins this time and break a hundred.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.” Lincoln lifted the bowling ball as if it weighed nothing. Standing in front of the pins, his height and broad shoulders were on full display making him appear even taller than his six-foot-plus stature. Though she felt bad that he wasn’t bowling well and at times seemed frustrated, she hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.

Lincoln moved forward and released the ball. The power behind his roll and the sound of the pins slamming together was like a roar of thunder shaking the building. Even after all of that, only five pins fell.

Carolyn burst out laughing.

“It’s not that funny.”

“Yes, it is. You roll that ball so hard, it’s a wonder all the pins in the building didn’t fall.”

He ran a hand over his head and again frustration showed on his face. “Any tips?”

“Maybe don’t roll the ball so hard. You’re confusing the pins. They’re bumping into each other unsure of what to do. Instead of falling they spin and wobble but remain standing.”

His brows dip. “You’re not serious. Confusing them? They’re damn pins. You’re talking like they have a mind or something.”

Carolyn laughed again, unable to help herself. She moved closer. Her hands gripped his thick biceps and she dropped her voice to almost a whisper and her mouth brushed against his ear. “Treat those pins like you would treat me if you were trying to bring me pleasure. I imagine you would take your time kissing and touching every inch of my body with your big, strong, powerful hands. Stroking … caressing … loving on me with authority, but also with a gentleness that would have me whimpering your name and begging for more.”

A tingle crept up Carolyn’s inner thighs as her words evoked erotic thoughts of what it would feel like to have Lincoln buried deep inside of her. Her heart pounded hard against her chest as she held onto him tighter, struggling to press down the desire suddenly raging within her. The last thing she should be thinking about was getting intimate with him while hanging out in a bowling alley, but if they ever made love, no doubt it would be deliciously intense.

His hand moved to her hip and he pulled her against his body, staring down at her lips. He lowered his head, excruciatingly slow, causing her to pant for what she knew was coming. His mouth, only a breath from hers, suddenly stopped. “You might be on to something.”

Carolyn tsked when his hand slipped from her body, immediately missing the heat from his touch. He grabbed his bowling ball like a man on a mission. She watched each measured step he took. It was as if a different person was bowling. The ball glided smoothly down the alley, picking off each pin one by one, giving him a spare. Since it was the tenth frame, he bowled again and got his first strike of the night.

Carolyn jumped up and cheered, “Yes! Now that’s what I’m talking about!”

Lincoln walked back to her with purpose and didn’t stop until he had her wrapped in his arms. “You should’ve given me that sexy-ass tip nine frames ago.” His mouth devoured hers, again. She succumbed to the forceful domination of his lips, neither caring that they drew attention from the other bowlers as he aroused a passion rivaling their earlier kiss.

When he finally let her up for air she said, “Well, hell. If I knew you’d kiss me like that, I would’ve.”

About Sharon C. Cooper

Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic - loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life.Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award - Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014.

When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit her on the Web.